Service will be held in the sanctuary April 18 at 11am followed by a potluck reception in the parish hall. 


​Charlene (Charlie) Houghton passed away February 10, 2026, surrounded by her family and her priest, Rev. Heather Blais at Baystate Franklin Hospital.  Charlie was born April 24, 1953 to Veronica (Peabody) and Edward F. Kilgour and was the youngest of three children.  

She graduated from Frontier High School and Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.  At college she met her husband, Stephen Houghton, in her Freshman year and they married the following November.  Together they had three children, Joshua, Patrick and Sara, while completing Charlie’s degree and moving to Illinois where Steve was stationed in the Air Force.  On returning to New England they settled briefly in South Deerfield and then Greenfield.

Charlie’s career included Executive Director of the United Way in Franklin County and later the Massachusetts Coalition for Adult Education which she left to partner with Steve in founding FireFact Investigations.  Together they operated FireFact until its closing in 2020.  Following the closure, Charlie’s love and concern for children brought her to work as an Instructional Assistant at Four Corners Elementary and Four Rivers Charter schools.

Her faith and her concern for those less fortunate than she lead her to be an active and faithful participant in her church.  She and her husband were a presenting couple for Marriage Encounter for nearly twenty years.   At St James and later St James and Andrew Episcopal Church she was a member of the Vestry, Pastoral Care, Altar Guild, Altar Server, Usher, Lay Eucharistic Minister, and Lay Preacher.  She and her husband founded and participated in Emmaus Companions, a ministry of companioning with those less fortunate in and around Greenfield.

Charlie loved the ocean and particularly the Wells/Ogunquit area of Maine.  She also loved the mountains and Mt. Greylock in particular where she and her husband met.  The outdoors was her place to walk and relax no matter where she was.

She was predeceased by her parents and her brother Edward Francis Kilgour Jr.

She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Stephen; two sons, Joshua and his wife Michelle of Lovell, ME; Patrick and his wife Paula of Titusville, NJ; and a daughter Sara and her husband Eric of Bernardston.  She is also survived by nine grandchildren; Alex, Matthew, Cody, Kelly, Elizabeth and Tyler of Bernardston and Greenfield; Isaac and Ezra of Lovell, ME; Zelda of Titusville, NJ, and her sister Judith Houde (husband Richard) of Naples, Florida. 

A memorial service will be held on April 18, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at Sts James and Andrew Episcopal Church followed by a reception in the parish hall.  Disposition of Charlie’s remains will be private at the convenience of the family.

This Sunday

Egg Hunt
Following the service, join the youth group for an egg hunt in the side yard. Kids 0 - 11 are welcome to join.

Support Grace in Haiti this Lent
Again this year we are partnering with Grace Church, Amherst, during Lent, to support the mission of Saint Matthieu School in Bayonnais, Haiti. The elementary school in rural Haiti has 279 students from pre-school to 9th grade served by 19 staff members, and provides a safe haven for children in a country continually beset by social turmoil, food insecurity, and gang violence. To contribute to this mission as part of your Lenten practice, you can send a donation to the office (or use tithely), noting that it is for St. Matthieu, Haiti. To date we have raised $2,520.51.  


Next Sunday

April 12 at 10:00 a.m. - Children’s Chapel
We invite children to gather for singing, stories, and crafts during the first half of Sunday services: Apr 12, 26; May 3, 17.  If you have questions or interest in volunteering to help with Children's Chapel, please contact Cara Hins at [email protected].

April 12 at 11:30 a.m. Coffee & Conversation & Seeking Volunteers
Join us for coffee and conversations in the Whiteman Room & Cloisters on the following Sundays: April 12; May 3; May 24 (Pentecost); June 7 (Bishop Visitation). We are also seeking volunteers to support this ministry. If you have expressed interest in helping in the past or would like to now, please let Allyson Michael know by sending her an email with your contact information at [email protected]. 

April 12 at 3 p.m. - Bishop Doug Farewell at St. Matthew’s, Worcester
Join us as we give thanks for Bishop Fisher’s 13+ years as our chief pastor and spiritual leader. This event is hosted by the parishes of Worcester County Corridor and will be the final in a series of three opportunities to gather, pray and share refreshment with the Bishop and his wife, the Rev. Betsy Fisher. Individuals are invited to make financial gifts in thanksgiving for Bishop Fisher’s service to Building Bridges Veterans Initiative. Make a Gift.  


Coming Soon

April 13 at 6:30 p.m. - Interfaith Event
The Interfaith Council of Franklin County invites all to attend the showing of the documentary, "Bad Faith," at the Greenfield Gardens Cinemas on Monday, April 13, 2026 at 6:30 pm. The film exposes how Christian Nationalism has become the most powerful anti-democratic force in America but may Americans know little about it. There will be a facilitated discussion afterwards to explore the presented information further. Thanks to the generosity of the Garden Cinema and co-sponsors of the event, there is no registration or fee, but purchase of refreshments is greatly appreciated. Along with ICFC, the program is co-sponsored with The Understanding Anti-semitism Committee, The Sunderland Human Rights Task Force, First Congregational Church of Sunderland, and the Hatfield Equity Alliance.

April 18 at 11 a.m. - Charlie Houghton Celebration of Life
Join us for a celebration of life for Charlie Houghton in the Church on Saturday, April 18 at 11 a.m. followed by a potluck reception in the parish hall. Sign up to bring a dish to share. 

April 22 at 12:15 p.m. - Bach’s Lunch Concert
The next Bach’s Lunch concert will take place on Wednesday, April 22 at 12:15 p.m. Pianist Steven Beck will perform music by Johann Sebastian Bach and Johannes Brahms. The concert is free. Audience members are invited to bring their own lunch to eat during the concert.

April 25 at 10 a.m. - Ordination and Consecration of Bishop-elect Howell
Save the date. On April 25 at 10 a.m. we will gather as a diocese for the ordination and consecration of Bishop-elect Howell at Christ Church Cathedral. Information about how to watch will be available soon here. Make a gift. 

June 7 at 10 a.m. - Bishop Visitation
Save the date. Our new bishop will join us for a visitation that will feature baptisms, confirmations, receptions, and more. 

Notice: 
​
Office Closed 
The church office will be closed Monday, April 20 through Monday, April 27. Regular office hours resume Tuesday, April 28.

Safe Church Training
There is a new model for Safe Church Training in our diocese, being facilitated by Interim Safe Church Officer Rev. Dr. Molly Scherm and Safe Church Trainer Dan Carew. It requires watching modules at home through Praesidium, at your leisure, and then attending a 90 minute integration session for the first time attending safe church, or a 60 minute refresher (required every 3 years). Learn more here, and contact the office for SsJA’s Praesidium code to access modules. Safe church certificates should be forwarded to the office.